Chantal Mbiya and Badura Kiza love to dance. Chantal does ballet. Badura is into hip-hop and isn’t afraid to show off her dance moves. The girls almost finish each other’s sentences and were happy to share how they fared at their recent science fair — a first-place finish for Chantal and second-place for Badura. And, at just 11 years old, Chantal, a refugee from Rwanda, and Badura, a refugee from Burundi, are also trying to navigate the challenges of adjusting to a new country, new culture and a new way of life.
more

The Jim & Tabitha Furyk Foundation partnered with the community last week to pack 4,100 bags of food for underprivileged kids and families in the greater Jacksonville area at the organization’s seventh annual “Hope for the Holidays” event.
more

A group of 12 Landrum Middle School cheerleaders recently helped local nonprofit S.A.F.E. Pet Rescue with its holiday pet adoption event on Dec. 8 in the parking lot of Pet Supermarket in Ponte Vedra Beach.
more

Members of the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach Sunset and friends gather at Mulligans Pub in Ponte Vedra Beach on Monday, Dec. 10 for a fun evening and to raise money for the Salvation Army. Every Monday in December, Mulligans is hosting its “Charity Tap Takeover,” at which $1 from every beer on tap goes to the Salvation Army.
more

Donning festive colors and holiday costumes, kindergarteners, first graders, the Choir and Orff Ensemble of Ocean Palms Elementary School performed their “Sounds of the Season” concert on Dec. 11 to celebrate the holiday season.
more